NHL Player News

Matheson had a goal and an assist in Tuesday's 4-1 win over Tampa Bay.

His goal went into an empty net late in the third to push the score to 3-1. Matheson hadn't scored a goal since Feb. 28, a span of 15 games (five assists). He has seven goals, 29 assists, 143 blocks, 106 shots and 55 hits in 71 games this campaign. Matheson's 62-point outburst in the 2023-24 regular season was purely situational. His 36 points this season are the second-best effort of his career.

Jiricek scored twice and added three assists in OHL Brantford's 6-5 overtime win over Sudbury in Game 3 on Tuesday.

Jiricek had been limited to one assist over the first two games of the playoffs before this eruption. The Blues prospect broke out with 59 points in 55 regular-season outings this season. He's poised to continue his strong scoring contributions as the Bulldogs battle during the postseason. They're one win away from advancing to the second round of the OHL playoffs.

Huang notched three assists in QMJHL Chicoutimi's 6-1 win over Halifax in Game 3 on Tuesday.

Huang is up to four helpers over three playoff games. That matches his point total from 11 postseason contests a year ago. Huang erupted for 70 points in 62 regular-season appearances, as well as a plus-58 rating as a leader on the blueline for the Sagueneens this year.

Sebrango (undisclosed) may have gotten nicked up at the end of Tuesday's game versus the Senators, Jordan McPherson of the Miami Herald reports.

Sebrango's injury is not confirmed yet, but the Panthers also lost Aaron Ekblad (hand) and Dmitry Kulikov (face) in this contest. The 24-year-old Sebrango will be day-to-day ahead of Thursday's game versus the Bruins.

Kulikov (face) will require a CT scan after taking a puck to the face Tuesday versus the Senators, Jordan McPherson of the Miami Herald reports.

Until the test results are in, Kulikov's status will be up in the air. The 35-year-old defenseman was held off the scoresheet in all 15 appearances in March after missing 57 contests after getting hurt in October. The Panthers are likely to need a defenseman or two from AHL Charlotte since Aaron Ekblad (hand) and Donovan Sebrango (undisclosed) are also ailing.

Ekblad's hand injury, sustained Tuesday versus the Senators, "doesn't look good," according to head coach Paul Maurice, George Richards of Florida Hockey Now reports.

Ekblad blocked a shot off his hand in the third period Tuesday, and it looks like he'll be the next Panther to potentially have his season end early. The defenseman still needs to be evaluated further, but the Panthers have no motivation to push him to return at this stage. The team will need to make a call-up on the blue line if additional tests reveal the expected bad news.

Yakemchuk (upper body) was injured in Tuesday's game versus the Panthers, and there was no update on his status after the contest, Bruce Garrioch of Postmedia reports.

Noah Gregor delivered an illegal hit on Yakemchuk in the third period, for which the Florida forward received a match penalty. Yakemchuk's injury is terrible for the young blueliner and the Senators as a whole, who are already missing four other defensemen. An update on Yakemchuk's status could be available prior to Thursday's game versus the Sabres.

Lauzon produced an assist, two hits and two PIM in Monday's 4-2 win over the Canucks.

Lauzon was limited to two assists, 50 hits, 34 PIM and 18 blocked shots over 16 outings in March. He's still a regular in the lineup in a third-pairing role, but offense isn't a big part of his game. For the season, Lauzon is at 11 helpers, 62 shots on net, 89 PIM, 225 hits and 93 blocked shots over 61 contests.

Andersson scored a goal on three shots in Monday's 4-2 win over the Canucks.

Andersson tied the game at 1-1 with his second-period tally. The 29-year-old defenseman is warming up at the right time for fantasy managers who rode out his post-Olympics slump. He has three goals and an assist over his last four games, with a tally on the power play and a shorthanded goal in that span. For the season, the veteran blueliner is at 15 goals, 41 points, 161 shots on net, 136 blocked shots, 69 PIM and a minus-1 rating over 74 outings between Vegas and Calgary.

Lindstein scored a goal on two shots in Monday's 5-4 loss to the Sharks.

Lindstein hadn't gotten on the scoresheet since he had an assist in his debut March 10 versus the Islanders. The 21-year-old defenseman opened the scoring Monday at 5:28 of the first period. Lindstein has added 11 shots on net, six hits, seven blocked shots, six PIM and a plus-4 rating over 10 appearances. His offense is still a work in progress and likely won't ever be a leading skill, but he should be reliable in his own zone throughout his career.